A popular pub has introduced a pay and display scheme in an attempt to combat drivers misusing its parking facility.

The Blue Bell in Acklam is now charging for parking - with prices set at £1 for three hours or £5 for all day.

The charges, which will be refunded from the bills of genuine customers, have been enforced to target people who use the car park for reasons other than visiting the pub.

Some locals have said it has been a long-standing problem that people park at The Blue Bell to car share. Some coach trips are also said to set off from the pub.

The Blue Bell

As spokeswoman for Stonegate Pub Company, which operates the Blue Bell, said: “The Blue Bell hosts many valued customers at any one time in their pub, hotel and function facilities, some of whom have recently found it difficult to park because of other motorists using the spaces.

“We have therefore implemented a pay and display system to prioritise our customers, operating a refund scheme when the site facilities are used.”

A post publishing the news was also put on Facebook, which suggests the pay and display scheme is having a knock on effect on residential roads.

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It reads: “The Blue Bell Hotel in Acklam, Middlesbrough , has recently implemented a pay and display in their car park, as such drivers are now using the narrow roads on the residential areas, including Blue Bell Grove and Acklam Road to park up for the day.

“This is causing a hindrance for local residents trying to get and about.

"As a result, the police have been made aware and any cars caught parked up blocking pedestrian footpaths or drive ways will be reported.”

Pay and display sign at The Blue Bell

Several people then replied to the post, with one writing: “I used to work there and we always had trouble with people using the car park for meeting points to car share etc meaning actual customers struggled to park.

“It’s a great idea as the money gets refunded off your bill so no harm done.”

Another wrote: “It is used as a picking up point for workers who travel to their jobs. They leave their car parked all day or sometimes three or four days at a time.”